Loretta J Milcarek

Loretta Jean was born in Grand Junction to Marion & Thomas Orendorf on January 16, 1942. The “little red head” was always quite a handful. Though precocious, she excelled at all she tackled. Mentored by an extraordinary mother, Marion, Loretta breezed through schools and earned a Masters Degree in Library Science and Education from Western State. Lori started a short career in formal teaching on the Western Slope, but continued to teach all she met throughout her life - without the title.

She married Ben Milcarek and his children David and Sheila, traveled and lived throughout the country - North Carolina, California, Massachusetts - wherever Ben’s job took them. She reveled in helping raise and teach, David and Sheila.

The fates and a pretty strong will brought her back ‘home’ to Colorado, to embark on a single and, taking a page from Marion, a very independent life. She started a new career, in Media first (Orion – HBO) and then transitioned into her market of Real Estate and Property Management, where she became the expert. Active in the various Apartment Associations, with Property Management Companies and her own brief stint developing an Apartment Locator Service handling an underserved ‘North Side’ … always training, mentoring and helping others to learn the business – and enjoy life along the way.

Family was very important to Loretta, and she is survived by numerous cousins including Jacki, Gerald, John, Jim and their families as well as step-children David and Sheila and their families.

The party girl, Loretta was the consummate hostess – with a Chamber of Commerce personality to draw everyone in for a great time. Lori credited her experience from the many events/parties she hosted for Ben’s clients and colleagues, helping further his career while they were married, with her start. But we know she was always attuned to researching and learning the newest trends, dishes and recipes as well as thematic celebration concepts … from Kentucky Derby Day to Fiesta to Chick Parties and pretty much any celebration – especially life journey celebrations.

Always a people person – with an extraordinary entourage of friends and acquaintances she marshaled in to ‘the group’ … whether at work, in the neighborhood or any place she settled. The ‘fun’ was with Loretta – parties, dinners, The Friday Night Club, Scrabble, Cards, Trivial Pursuit, back yard BBQ’s, gardening. And the flowers and furry friends – Old Yellow, Peanut, Mitzi, Pumpkin and Carly were always part of the group as well. And YES – cocktails!

Her garden and animal friends were consistently at top of mind for Loretta; at her request, in lieu of flowers to the mortuary, plant something wonderful in your garden or make a donation in her honor to any of the many fine animal support groups, one of her favorites, an all volunteer organization CLAWS Rescue & Adoption Center in Grand Junction, CO 970-241-3793 http://clawsgj.com – email [email protected].